The Three Wise Men Will Stay as a Michigan School Refuses to Take Down Christmas Display

Score one for the baby Jesus! Balthasar, Melchior and Gaspar will remain perched atop Newago Elementary School despite complaints from a civil rights group.

The Michigan Association of Civil Rights Activists claim they got a complaint from a citizen of the tiny town of Newago about a Christmas display on the roof of the elementary school of the three wise men following the star, and asked school officials to remove the decorations. WOOD TV8 reports that MACRA has pursued similar claims in other districts with success and changes have been made.

Calling it "tradition" and part of their community for more than 70 years, the school is standing firm and has no plans to alter the display of the travelers' trip to the altar in the manger. The school board decided at a special meeting on December 10 to not give in to pressure from the civil rights group.